Commune official criticised over deforestation

CÀ MAU — Chairman of Rạch Chèo Commune People’s Committee Lý Văn Gặp has been criticised by Tân Phú District People’s Committee for mismanaging the deforestation of trees along the Bảy Háp River.

Late January, it was reported that hundreds of square metres of mắm (Avicennia) forest along the river were chopped down by locals. They used machines to dredge mud on the riverside area to expand their oyster farms.

The commune People’s Committee leased 19,500 q.m water surface to three local households to grow oysters on the Bảy Háp River.

However, the contracts with two households – Ngô Trường Sơn and Nguyễn Dũng Hà – became invalid on October, 17, 2017 and February, 1, 2018, respectively.

The other contract with Nguyễn Văn Lăng, who rented 9,000sq.m of water surface, experies in November. However, as Lăng destroyed riverside forest to expand his oyster farm, the contract is now invalid.

The commune People’s Committee has asked the three households to remove the farm. — VNS